Need help cutting hood

priobe · #1 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 11:56 AM

Hello all,

I have just ordered my hood scoop from Kirkham. Now the hard part.

I will have to cut my hood to remove the old molded scoop and replace it with the new one.

Can anyone provide information on doing this or if some can share there experience in doing this same thing

Thanks

Three Peaks · #2 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 12:15 PM

I had to cut my carbon fiber hood to fit my hood scoop. I think I would wait until the hood scoop shows up to see how much it will cover.
The originals and kirkhams have an oval shaped hole under the scoop, but you may need to make a fiberglass repair after removing the existing scoop if this is the case.

I just marked out the hole in the hood I needed to cut with a sharpie. I put down some heavy tape to protect the hood and cut with a jig saw after drilling a half inch hole to start the cut. Pretty simple really and only took a few minutes. However, I just had a blank hood, not an existing hood scoop.

If you hood has a liner, you may have additional issues to deal with, but nothing a little glass matt and resin can't fix....
Bob

Measure twice, cut once....

priobe · #3 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 12:42 PM

Here is what I will be working with.

The aluminum scoop in the picture is from Cobra restorers.

Here are my measuments

Aluminum hood scoop = 23 x 16 1/2
Molded hood scoop = 22 x 12 1/2
opening under hood = 17 1/2 x 10 1/2

Soon to be Kirkham 23L X 14W x 1 1/2 H

I have decided to order a Kirkham scoop because I think it will look more correct.

Thoughts.....Suggestions..... advice

Three Peaks · #4 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 01:25 PM

Are you looking for the original look, or just to fit up the scoop to you existing hood with the fewest complications?

Fewest complications- cut out the existing scoop as close to the molded scoop as possible without cutting the part where the hood extends under the scoop. You can grind the hood flat where needed to clean up any of the molded scoop after. Then see how the new scoop fits the opening you get and trim to suit yourself and the new scoop.

For original look, cut out the scoop and glass in the opening where you need to to get the oval shaped opening you will need, then cut to the original type opening. I can get you the measurements I took off a kirkham if you need them and send you a pic of how I cut mine to fit my scoop if you need. I have pics in my gallery of the shape of the opening I cut to the Kirkham/original spec.

Either way, making that first cut always makes you sweat.....

Bob

priobe · #5 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 01:32 PM

Bob,

I would like to get it as close to original as possible.

If you can please send me those measurments, that would be great help.

Phil

767Jockey · #6 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 01:39 PM

Phil,
I just had this done on my car - I had the molded in scoop cut off and a Kirkham aluminum scoop riveted on. This was done at the time the body was painted. Looking at the hole that was left after the scoop was cut off, it would have been a real challenge to cover it with the aluminum scoop. For me the plan all along was to fill in the complete hole and cut out the proper oval opening, which is what we did, and it came out great. PM me if you need more info.
Doug

767Jockey · #7 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 01:41 PM

Oops, I forgot to add that all the measurements you need for the size of the opening, the placement of the opening, and the placement of the scoop are on the ERA website.

Rick Parker · #8 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 02:34 PM

The oval hole was for the Turkey Pan with (1) 4 BBL not the Webers, right??

Three Peaks · #9 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 02:47 PM

Keep in mind that different manufacturers have different sized hoods, so plan accordingly. You will no doubt need to do some glass work to close up the hole you cut to remove the existing scoop before cutting the new hole.

On the Kirkham I measured, and the hole I cut in my hood, the opening starts 6" from the rear of the hood and is 14" long. The opening is 9 1/2" wide, so you will need to make a 4 3/4" radius circle at each end of the opening and connect the sides of the radii and you're ready to cut.
On the Kirkham the rear of the scoop starts 2 1/2" from the rear lip of the hood
I placed my opening on the centerline of the hood, but I'm not positive this is the correct position, since most engines set 1/2"-3/4" to the passenger side of the engine bay/ chassis.

Since the opening really isn't all that useful on most cars anyway, I placed it where I thought it would look best- on the centerline.

Let me know if you need any more help.

Bob

767Jockey · #10 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Parker

The oval hole was for the Turkey Pan with (1) 4 BBL not the Webers, right??

I'm not one of the guys on here who has all the historical facts and numbers on the original cars. I always thought that the original 427 / 428 cars came with either one 4bbl. carb and a turkey pan, or a 428 with dual 4bbl. carbs. Did the big block cars ever come with Webers?

767Jockey · #11 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 03:58 PM

I believe the Kirkham's, the ERA's and the Contemporary's like mine all have a very very accurate hood dimension. I used my Contemporary hood, the ERA dimensions and a Kirkham scoop - everything fit perfectly.

Three Peaks · #12 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 04:34 PM

Doug, I'm sure you're right about the ERA, Kirkham, and Contemporary, but I found the FFR is completely different (larger) and the EM Priobe owns is a stretched body/wheelbase car if I remember correctly, so the hood will probably be a bit different than our cars.

Bob

767Jockey · #13 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 04:49 PM

Honestly, I never realized that an E-M is an extended wheelbase car. Ya learn sumthin' every day!

rokndad · #14 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Parker

The oval hole was for the Turkey Pan with (1) 4 BBL not the Webers, right??

Rick is right on the money. I had the original style oval hole that came from Shelby under my scoop when using the 4bbl with Turkey pan:

but I have to enlarge it to fully accommodate the Webers on the BB. The hood closes, but the pass side front stack just barely touches, not to mention the restriction in airflow to that entire side. The new hole stops just short of the second from the front screw, but haven't taken pics yet. Thanks to Jim Beals for helping me lift the hood off. By the way, this was a simple layout and cut job with a Makita cordless sabre saw, and double row 15 teeth/inch blade. Very very easy and clean. Phil, you can do this!!

priobe · #15 (**permalink**) 05-11-2009, 07:16 AM

Bob,

Actually, the E-M is a direct splash from a Cobra ( Gen III model). The new E-M is a extended wheel base, dont ask me why they did that.

As Tom mentioned on his Shelby the passenger front hit the carb lip, which is the same as mine. I was able to grind a tad in the underside to avoid the rubbing.

Now that I have decided to go with a non- molded scoop I will cut the hood according to what is needed.

I am not sure what I will need to fill in the hole. As I placed the new scoop on top of the molded scoop itlookas as if I might have to extend the lip of the opening by 2 inches on either side.

I am not sure how to do this, would someone please walk me though what I will need to get started or should I just find a body shop to do this

Thanks